Sheet-flattening means



Patented May 15, 1928.

UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR E. FOWLE, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE LIBBEY-OWIENS SHEET GLASS COMIEANY, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

SHEET-FLATTENING MEANS.

Application filed January 30, 1925. Serial No. 5,722.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing sheet glass, and has particular reference to means associated with a sheet glass apparatus for removing surface defects in the sheet whereby to produce a flat, uniform sheet.

An important object of the invention is to provide means for drawing a sheet from a mass of molten glass, and means over which the sheet may be dragged to flatten the same. v

A further object of the invention is to provide means for drawing a sheet from a mass of molten glass, and includes means for deflecting the sheet into substantially a horizontal plane, and has means closely adjacent to the deflecting means over which the sheet is dragged to flatten or iron out any surface irregularities Which may be present. Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein a sheet of glass isdrawn from a mass of molten glass and deflected into a horizontal plane, the said sheet being supported upon and dragged over a non-corrosive member to flatten the same.

Still another object, is to provide, in com-' ing drawn may be dragged to flatten the same, said apparatus including means for heating the sheet as it passes over the flattening' means, and also means for. absorbing heat after the [sheet has been flattened.

Other objectsand advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

- In the drawi'n 5 wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same.

-Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through aportion of an apparatus showing my invention in use, and

modified construction.

This invention is primarily designed for use in connection with the machine disclosed in the patent to Colburn, 1,248,809., granted- December 4, 1917: It is to be understood Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a slightly be adapted to any form of sheet drawing apparatus.

' In the Colburn process above referred to the sheet 5 is drawn from a mass of molten glass 6 contained in a so-called draw-pot 7 The sheet is drawn in a vertical plane and is deflected over a bendingroll 8 into a horizontal plane where it is run over a drawtable 9 and on through a suitable annealing leer. The knurledrolls 10 are provided at the edges of the sheet to engage the same for maintaining the sheet to width after it has strain on the same whic may produce Waves or other surface irregularities.

In the present invention the idler roll used Y 1n the Colburn machine is removed and a,

non-corrosive slab 11 is substituted. The slab 11 may be formed from any noncorroslve material such as nickel, nichrome,

monel, graphite or the like. The slab 11 is supported upon a hollow casting 12 which is carried by the cross-members 113. The casting 12 may be internally heated or cooled as desired.

The upper surface of the slab 11 which i comes in contact with the sheet, 5 is preferably highly polished so that the sheetmay be dragged thereover to flatten the same without injury to its surface. Toiacilitate flattening, flames may be applied from the burners 14, which will soften the glass sufficiently to permit it to be dragged to a uniform smoothness and flatness over the slab' 11. To prevent impressions from the draw- :table 9, heat-absorbing means in the nature of a cooler may be positioned as at. 15. The :{slab 11 Will support the sheet durin :travelfrom the bending roll 8 to the rawhowever that the invention is not necessarily 'ii table 9, while at the same time it will prorestricted-to such a machine as it can wenits duce a! wiping effect on the sheet which will have a tendency to flatten or make uniform its surface.

In Fig. 1, the forward end of the slab 11 is slightly arcuated', as indicated by the numeral 16, which necessitates a lowering of the bending roll. The sheet is bent through a wider arc in the disclosure shown in Fig.

l1, asthe sheet is in a fairly heated condi= tion after it has passed over the bending roll 8. By supporting the sheetupon the slab 11, strains, thin portions, and other defects will not be as apt to be found in the finished sheet. In addition to supporting 1 the sheet, it is flattened out by the dragging andwiping effect so that a good flat, smooth and uniform thickness of sheet is produced.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as the preferred embodiment ofthe same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may flatten said sheet before it reaches the draw table, and means for absorbing heat from be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims. v

Claims: I

1. In sheet glass apparatus, a receptacle containing a. mass of molten glass, a' bending roll, a draw-table for drawing a sheet from the mass of molten glass, said sheet being deflected over the bending roll into substantially a horizontal plane, a non-corrosive allo member arranged between the bending r0 1 and the draw-table for supporting the sheet and over which the sheet may be dragged to, flatten the same, means for heating the sheet as it passes over the flattening member, and means for absorbing heat from the sheet after it has passed over the flattening member and before it comes in contact with the draw-table.

2. In sheet glass apparatus, a receptacle containing 'a mass of molten glass, a drawtable for drawing a sheet therefrom, means over which the sheet may be dragged to the sheet after it has passed over the flattenmg means and before it-passes over the draw-table to prevent" draw-table impressions thereon.

3. The process of producing sheet glass, consisting in drawing a sheet from a mass of molten glass, reheating the same, then Zing means.

dragging the sheet over non-corrosive means for-flattening the "same. and then absorbing heat from said sheet as itleavessaid flatten consisting in drawing a sheet from a, mass 4, The process of producing sheet glass,

of molten glass, and then draggingthe sheet in a curved pat-h over a member of a shape adapted to produce a wiping effect for removing irregularities in the sheet surface.

,5. In sheet glass apparatus, a receptacle containing a mass of molten glass, drawing means for drawing a sheet of glass from of glass from said mass, thesaid sheet being deflected over the bending roll to substantially a. horizontal lane, means arranged between the 'ben ing member and the drawing means over which the sheet is dragged to flatten the same, means for heating. the sheet as it is deflected over said means, and means arranged above the sheet for absorbing heat therefrom after it has passed over the flattening means and before it comes in contact wit-h the drawing means.

7. In sheet glass apparatus, a receptacle 3 containing a mass of molten glass, drawingmeans for drawing a sheet of glass from said mass, means havin a curved portion over which the sheet 0 glass is dragged, the curved portion producm a wiping effeet for removing irregularities in the sheet surface, means for heating the sheet as it is passed over the curved portion of said member, and heat absorbin means arranged between said member an the drawing member for lowering the temperature of said sheet.

, 8. In sheet glass apparatus, a receptacle containing a mass of molten glass, drawing means for drawin asheet of "glass from said mass, means flaving a curved portion over which the sheet of glass is dragged, the curved portion producing a wiping effect for removing irregularities in the sheet surface, means for heating the sheet as it is passed over-the curved portion of said member, and a cooler arranged. between said member and the drawin member for lowering the temperature 0 said sheet.

9. In sheet glass apparatus, a receptacle containing-a mass of molten glass drawing means for drawing a sheet of glass from said mass, a slab arranged in advance of the drawing means and over which the sheet is dragged toflatten the same, means for controlling the temperature of said slab,

means for heating the sheet as it is dra ged over the slab, and a cooler arranged a ve 10. In sheet glass apparatus, a receptacle and a cooler arranged above the sheet to containing a mass of molten glass, drawing cool the same as it passes from the slab to 1 means for drawing a sheet of glass from the drawing means. said mass, a slab arranged in advance of the Signed at Toledo, in the county of Lucas drawin means, and over which the sheet is and State of Ohio, this 27th day of January, dragge to flatten the same, means for 2113- 1925. I sorhing heat. from the slab, means for heating the sheet as it is dragged over the slab, ARTHUR E. FOWLE. 

